Monday, February 11, 2008

Originally published 07:15 a.m., February 11, 2008Updated 08:16 a.m., February 11, 2008

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  A Palm Beach Zoo worker on Sunday was takento the hospital after a Malayan tiger bit the employee's hand duringa feeding, according to reports obtained by WPTV NewsChannel 5.

The incident happened about 5 p.m. Sunday after the zoo closed. Twoemployees were attempting to feed the tiger in a "night house" thatis not visible to zoo visitors when the big cat bit, or "nipped," oneof the fingers of one employee's hand, according to NewsChannel 5.

Two workers were feeding the tiger processed beef when the incidenthappened.

A zoo spokesperson told the news station the injured employee wasdriven a local hospital for treatment by another zoo employee.

The injured employee has worked there for eight months. Informationabout how long the tiger has been at the zoo was not available.